I had heard on one of those daytime talk shows that if you declutter your spaces, you will declutter your life. This was several years ago, but I have found that it's the truth. When my house, vehicle, and whatever area I call mine become cluttered, so do I. I find myself with too many things to do, not enough time, and a very bad disposition. Today started my decluttering. I am tired of clutter and mess and junk. If I don't get my island cleaned off soon, I may find that it has disappeared and been replaced with crap.
I started in the living room. Every day, it seems many times, I have the kids pick up their stuff. Sometimes it's alot, sometimes just a thing or two. I really have them do it before hubby gets home. Not that it stays that way. It's almost a throwback to the fifties or sixties. I want a nice, tidy home for hubby to come home to. I want him to be able to relax for a little before I put him to work. I always think it's nice to come home to a neat house. That's one reason I clean before vacation.
I picked up trash like Sunday's paper that had been read and refolded and was just lying around. Some trash from who knows what came off the end table. I straightened out the corner where the kids schoolwork is kept. I cleaned off last year's curriculum from the book shelf and added this year's. I still have to box some of it up, but at least it's together. Now I need to clean out the cabinet I keep our school supplies in. Yeah, I'm not really looking forward to that.
Since I added this year's curriculum to the book shelf, that opened up a spot in our bedroom. I started cleaning and sorting through all the junk that's on the side of our bed. I rearranged some things, stacking them neatly until I can figure out where I'm going to put it. Then I picked up some clothes that were in the pile and added them to the hamper. I picked up and emptied some bags and got that stuff put away. There was a dress and jacket for the baby and a book with a study guide for the big girl. She may be reading that book for her language arts. It's a mystery so she'll love it. It's written by a Christian author, so I'm good with it. I straightened out our shred pile. Now I just need to shred.
I moved from the side of the bed to my desk. I recycle our copy paper. If I make too many copies, I use the other side for another lesson. It has saved us a tremendous amount of money in paper. I stacked and removed staples from all the paper, making sure it was all facing the same way so all I have to do is put it in the copier. I cleaned up the trash around my desk and got it together. I don't have a trash can around my desk, so all my papaers go on the floor. I finally got that picked up and a box in place for a trash can. I emptied two boxes and got their contents put away. There were some packing slips and a couple of styrofoam cartons that our vitamins ship in. It's nice to come into my room now. Now for the top of my desk.
I have been working slowly but surely on the island. I can see it now, so that's a change for the better. There are a couple of big pots that need to get handwashed, but that's hubby job. One is his peanut pot that he boiled peanuts in. The other is a pot he used to cook crab legs. Those were really good. Then there is the miscellaneous junk that needs to be sorted through and put in a place. Most of it will probably go in the trash. I know that there are a couple of magazines that we will keep, and some receipts that need to be filed or shredded. Then wipe it all down. I have a bag of clothes and a bag of shoes that need to be donated that is sitting in the corner of my kitchen. And I need to clean off the little corner table. That won't be too bad. I do need a bigger container for my prize box for co-ops, but that's easy.
With school, dance, JAM, and co-op about to start, I want to have a relaxed start. I want to start our year clutter free and easy. I also am reviewing for an online curriculum provider called teacherbookbag.net that will take up my time. It will also be providing some really great curriculum. Look for my review tomorrow or Thurday of our first ebook unit study on the solar system. While we will be busy again, I want to be able to go with the flow, and not drag all our baggage with us.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
The Land Called Perfect
I had an interesting conversation with the big girl this morning while I was getting ready for church.
BG: "Mama, you should be the president."
ME, a little shocked, but feeling a little full of myself: "Why should I be the president?"
BG: "Because if everybody just did things your way, it would be a much easier world to get along in."
ME, now really full of myself: "Thank you. That was a really nice thing to say. That makes me feel very good."
Is that not the scariest thing ever? Me as president. Good grief, look out world.
BG: "Mama, you should be the president."
ME, a little shocked, but feeling a little full of myself: "Why should I be the president?"
BG: "Because if everybody just did things your way, it would be a much easier world to get along in."
ME, now really full of myself: "Thank you. That was a really nice thing to say. That makes me feel very good."
Is that not the scariest thing ever? Me as president. Good grief, look out world.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Healthcare Crisis
Our healthcare system is in shambles. There are so many factors and reasons that they need to be dealt with one at a time. Fix one, wait for the leak, plug it, and when the dam threatens to burst, then take care of it. That's how it's being dealt with now. Only now, the government has decided to stick their noses in it. Yeah, that's gonna make it right.
Mandatory health coverage is an issue that is being bandied about. That will so not help any American. It's not a lack of coverage that is the problem. It's that the coverage that is available is horrible. It is super expensive and covers almost nothing. We had looked into private coverage because the coverage through hubby's job had skyrocketed leaving us with a higher premium to pay. We couldn't afford it. Even with the coverage that we have, it's still cheaper than going the private route. And why do we have copays? Aren't we already paying for it? Why do we need to copay? We don't give you enough money that a doctor visit is too much for you to pay?
I heard today that if you do take the government coverage, you are stuck with it for the rest of your life. You can no longer have employer offered or private insurance. That's like saying once you are on welfare, food stamps, and Medicaid, you can never get off those programs. Fine, I'll stay on the system the rest of my life, have my husband's Viagra covered, but not my birth control pills, and let the government and the rest of you poor slobs pay for my groceries and my housing. Sweet! That's a win-win for me. But what about the rest of the tax payers? Now you have to assume my portion, because I'm not allowed off the system and if I get a job, I'll make too much and they'll kick me off. Now I'm confused. Am I on it or not? Even the government doesn't know for sure.
Mandatory vaccinations was the other topic that makes me want to slap somebody. We have chosen to stop vaccinating our children. We have no faith in the FDA, the pharmaceutical companies that produce the vaccines, or the government that mandates their use. I would rather not subject my children any further to chemicals that I do not have to. These are created by man. As far as the government not linking vaccines to disorders like autism is another example of burying their heads in the sand. If wrong is admitted, the government would be inundated with lawsuits. They can't admit they are wrong because it would cost too much. And who would pay for that? The government, or rather us when they increase our taxes to pay for all the lawsuits. And though the doctors and pharm companies may say there is no longer mercury in the vaccines, do not believe them. Of course there is. They just tell you there isn't to make you happy. Check it out.
And why is the government talking to Big Pharm, the American Medical Association and insurance companies on ways to fix the problem? They are the ones that started the problem to begin with. Think about the high cost of medical school. MDs have to charge high prices to pay off their bills. Hospitals have to keep their "usual and customary" charges higher so that the insurance companies will pay them at higher rates. Check with someone that has recently been in the hospital. Look at what the hospital charged, and what the insurance company paid. HUGE diffference. And why? Why can the hospital not just charge the discounted rates? Because the insurance companies would only pay them a portion of the price. The higher the hospital charges, the more money they get from insurance.
And why does this have to be done so quickly? It sure didn't take 2 weeks to get in to this problem. It will take years to get out of this mess. Please do not fool yourselves that this Socialism take on government is going to be so much better. I don't have an answer, but there is a lot of eye opening that needs to happen. Time to think, discuss, and dissect the problem is what we need. Time to figure out the pieces and the right people to talk to.
I called one of our Senators today. There has been a flyer in the mail that said he was working to solve our health insurance crisis. It was actually distributed by Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and the Healthcare Leadership Council. When I called, I was informed that they just used the Senators name and that he was in no way associated with either one of those entities. I said good. I then repeated all of the things that I have just written. Call your Senators and your Representatives. That's their job is to talk to you. You elected them. You decide if they keep their jobs. Let them know that their jobs are in jeopardy. We can control this issue just like any other. But you have to speak up. If you don't, you just let it happen. Don't let others control your health or your family. Think and act.
Mandatory health coverage is an issue that is being bandied about. That will so not help any American. It's not a lack of coverage that is the problem. It's that the coverage that is available is horrible. It is super expensive and covers almost nothing. We had looked into private coverage because the coverage through hubby's job had skyrocketed leaving us with a higher premium to pay. We couldn't afford it. Even with the coverage that we have, it's still cheaper than going the private route. And why do we have copays? Aren't we already paying for it? Why do we need to copay? We don't give you enough money that a doctor visit is too much for you to pay?
I heard today that if you do take the government coverage, you are stuck with it for the rest of your life. You can no longer have employer offered or private insurance. That's like saying once you are on welfare, food stamps, and Medicaid, you can never get off those programs. Fine, I'll stay on the system the rest of my life, have my husband's Viagra covered, but not my birth control pills, and let the government and the rest of you poor slobs pay for my groceries and my housing. Sweet! That's a win-win for me. But what about the rest of the tax payers? Now you have to assume my portion, because I'm not allowed off the system and if I get a job, I'll make too much and they'll kick me off. Now I'm confused. Am I on it or not? Even the government doesn't know for sure.
Mandatory vaccinations was the other topic that makes me want to slap somebody. We have chosen to stop vaccinating our children. We have no faith in the FDA, the pharmaceutical companies that produce the vaccines, or the government that mandates their use. I would rather not subject my children any further to chemicals that I do not have to. These are created by man. As far as the government not linking vaccines to disorders like autism is another example of burying their heads in the sand. If wrong is admitted, the government would be inundated with lawsuits. They can't admit they are wrong because it would cost too much. And who would pay for that? The government, or rather us when they increase our taxes to pay for all the lawsuits. And though the doctors and pharm companies may say there is no longer mercury in the vaccines, do not believe them. Of course there is. They just tell you there isn't to make you happy. Check it out.
And why is the government talking to Big Pharm, the American Medical Association and insurance companies on ways to fix the problem? They are the ones that started the problem to begin with. Think about the high cost of medical school. MDs have to charge high prices to pay off their bills. Hospitals have to keep their "usual and customary" charges higher so that the insurance companies will pay them at higher rates. Check with someone that has recently been in the hospital. Look at what the hospital charged, and what the insurance company paid. HUGE diffference. And why? Why can the hospital not just charge the discounted rates? Because the insurance companies would only pay them a portion of the price. The higher the hospital charges, the more money they get from insurance.
And why does this have to be done so quickly? It sure didn't take 2 weeks to get in to this problem. It will take years to get out of this mess. Please do not fool yourselves that this Socialism take on government is going to be so much better. I don't have an answer, but there is a lot of eye opening that needs to happen. Time to think, discuss, and dissect the problem is what we need. Time to figure out the pieces and the right people to talk to.
I called one of our Senators today. There has been a flyer in the mail that said he was working to solve our health insurance crisis. It was actually distributed by Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and the Healthcare Leadership Council. When I called, I was informed that they just used the Senators name and that he was in no way associated with either one of those entities. I said good. I then repeated all of the things that I have just written. Call your Senators and your Representatives. That's their job is to talk to you. You elected them. You decide if they keep their jobs. Let them know that their jobs are in jeopardy. We can control this issue just like any other. But you have to speak up. If you don't, you just let it happen. Don't let others control your health or your family. Think and act.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
A New Baby
I have really felt the heart tuggings for a new baby. I don't necessarily mean a brand new, 9 months of pregnancy, thank God for epidurils baby. But I have felt the need to have at least one more child in my home. I don't know if it's God moving me or the Devil trying to get me into trouble. I really hope it's God moving, because hubby and I have been talking more and more about it lately.
When we had our last baby, I got fixed. I wasn't happy about it. The doctor asked me if it was OK to go ahead and do it as miserable as I was. I told her yes, but I really didn't want to. Hubby was not ready for another one. He was perfectly happy with our two and then adding the baby. I would have 10 if he would have let me. Can you imagine that? Me with 11 or 12 kids? Can you imagine a play date with us and the Dugger's? That would be so much fun.
I understand where hubby was coming from. I have great pregnancies. I love it. I don't get sick, I don't complain until the end, my ankles swell moderately, but I do waddle something awful. My blood sugar and blood pressure usually maintain an acceptable level. It's the deliveries we have conflicting views on.
The big girl didn't want to come out. She was a week and a day late, and still didn't want out. she knew what was waiting on her when she did. After 48 hours of back labor, I never progressed past an 8. I only had drugs the last 10-12 maybe hours. My back labor set off my sciatica which set off back spasms. It wasn't the labor at first, but the excrutiating back pain. They wouldn't let me walk, because I had an internal monitor. That thing was imbedded so far in the big girl's head, they had to yank them out. I though they were pulling everything out. Then the labor shifted, but still left me with back pain. We finally decided on a C-Section.
I scheduled delivery for my next two kids. I was not about to labor and nobody could make me. That is what gets to hubby. He cannot stand to see me on the table. He saw me open after our first and does not ever want to see that again. To see someone you love on an operating table, awake or not, is very hard. He just could not go through it again. Thank you for loving me, Baby. I love you, too.
Our pastor and his wife just adopted a girl from Ethiopia. She is such a joy. They are the proudest parents I have ever seen. My heart aches with joy when I see them together. I am so very happy that they decided to expand their family and include A. She has had such and impact on our family in general, and me specifically. I love that sweet girl.
Hubby and I have been talking about adoption. So far, it is just tossing around an idea. But I am ready to expand our family and fill it with more love. I had a friend ask, "How do you love more than one?" when she was pregnant with her second and I had just had my second. I said, "You just do." God makes a path that is filled with love and caring and hope and so many wonderful things.
If we do follow that path, it will be after our trip to Hawaii. This is something that we have promised to our children, and I do not want to let them down. Adoption is very expensive, and would prohibit the trip, I fear. But then again, doesn't God always make a way? You would think that with all the children that need a good, loving home, it wouldn't cost an arm and a leg. It prevents some people from going that route. That is a shame if you ask me.
For now, this is just an idea. Hubby and I will toss it around for awhile and see where we are led. Please pray for God's will to take precedent in this. If it's no, please pray for comfort and healing. If it's yes, please pray for comfort and healing. Either way, we will follow where the Lord leads us.
When we had our last baby, I got fixed. I wasn't happy about it. The doctor asked me if it was OK to go ahead and do it as miserable as I was. I told her yes, but I really didn't want to. Hubby was not ready for another one. He was perfectly happy with our two and then adding the baby. I would have 10 if he would have let me. Can you imagine that? Me with 11 or 12 kids? Can you imagine a play date with us and the Dugger's? That would be so much fun.
I understand where hubby was coming from. I have great pregnancies. I love it. I don't get sick, I don't complain until the end, my ankles swell moderately, but I do waddle something awful. My blood sugar and blood pressure usually maintain an acceptable level. It's the deliveries we have conflicting views on.
The big girl didn't want to come out. She was a week and a day late, and still didn't want out. she knew what was waiting on her when she did. After 48 hours of back labor, I never progressed past an 8. I only had drugs the last 10-12 maybe hours. My back labor set off my sciatica which set off back spasms. It wasn't the labor at first, but the excrutiating back pain. They wouldn't let me walk, because I had an internal monitor. That thing was imbedded so far in the big girl's head, they had to yank them out. I though they were pulling everything out. Then the labor shifted, but still left me with back pain. We finally decided on a C-Section.
I scheduled delivery for my next two kids. I was not about to labor and nobody could make me. That is what gets to hubby. He cannot stand to see me on the table. He saw me open after our first and does not ever want to see that again. To see someone you love on an operating table, awake or not, is very hard. He just could not go through it again. Thank you for loving me, Baby. I love you, too.
Our pastor and his wife just adopted a girl from Ethiopia. She is such a joy. They are the proudest parents I have ever seen. My heart aches with joy when I see them together. I am so very happy that they decided to expand their family and include A. She has had such and impact on our family in general, and me specifically. I love that sweet girl.
Hubby and I have been talking about adoption. So far, it is just tossing around an idea. But I am ready to expand our family and fill it with more love. I had a friend ask, "How do you love more than one?" when she was pregnant with her second and I had just had my second. I said, "You just do." God makes a path that is filled with love and caring and hope and so many wonderful things.
If we do follow that path, it will be after our trip to Hawaii. This is something that we have promised to our children, and I do not want to let them down. Adoption is very expensive, and would prohibit the trip, I fear. But then again, doesn't God always make a way? You would think that with all the children that need a good, loving home, it wouldn't cost an arm and a leg. It prevents some people from going that route. That is a shame if you ask me.
For now, this is just an idea. Hubby and I will toss it around for awhile and see where we are led. Please pray for God's will to take precedent in this. If it's no, please pray for comfort and healing. If it's yes, please pray for comfort and healing. Either way, we will follow where the Lord leads us.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Part 8
Tyler didn't know what to do. He had tossed and turned all night. He couldn't stop thinking about Lydia and everything she had told him. She wanted him to stay. He wanted to stay with her. But the problem was him, not her. He had never been good enough for her and he still wasn't. Sure he had a ton of money in the bank and several well paying programming jobs coming up, but that didn't mean he was good enough for her. They had started on different levels, and would always be on different levels. But she wanted him to stay. Frustrated, he slammed the door behind him a little harder than he had planned and headed for the diner.
The smell of fresh baking pies almost made him float to the back booth where Josiah sat, drinking a cup of coffee. "Your hair looks good," Josiah said as Tyler sat. "But you look like crap. Somebody has woman problems." Tyler could have taken it a little better if his friend hadn't been smiling so big he was almost laughing.
"Screw you," he replied, running his hand through his shorn hair. He did smile as MaryAnne, the waitress, came over and placed a cup and a carafe of coffee on the table. She knew already that they would drink the whole thing if they sat long enough. It saved her a few hundred trips to fill up cups. The red head was pretty enough, but he was surprised that he had no reaction to her other than that. He was hoping for a small spark of interest or something.
"Nice come back," Josiah smiled even bigger. "Lydia?"
"Yeah," Tyler replied grumpily. There was no point in denying it. Josiah would just see through it.
"I always liked Lydia. She had a hard time growing up, but she sure has made something of herself. Her sister is in med school, and I think that's all Lydia," Josiah said, admiration in his voice. For Josiah to use that tone of voice when speaking about anyone was a miracle in itself. He didn't admire many people. "You better wipe that hang dog look off your face. Here come my brothers. If they see you, they will forever give you hell." Josiah waved at his five brothers, and the mass of handsome, broad shouldered men made it's way to the back booth, turning heads the whole way.
Tyler refocused on why he was here. Josiah's wedding. There were several activities planned for the next five days, and he needed to be at his best and on his toes with this crowd. He stood and greeted the brothers with hugs and back slaps. He hadn't seen them in so long, and now he wondered why. They had always treated him as family, even now. They finally got enough chairs pulled to the booth and MaryAnne brought more mugs. She took orders from all of them, but for some reason avoided looking at Abe. That's interesting, thought Tyler. Abe avoided looking at her, too.
The men sat and talked up until lunch time, when they ordered more food. MaryAnne had finally quit asking if they needed anything else, and just waited until they called her name across the diner. Tyler had never had a better time with the Todd boys.
"When does your mom get here?" Tyler asked, speaking to the crowd in general.
"She's here. She's at Josiah's getting it ready for the barbecue tonight," Noah answered. "Which means I guess that we better get over there so she can see your ugly mug." There were snorts and laughter around the table, and after much shuffling and pocket digging, they left Josiah with the tab. They all chipped in for the tip, making MaryAnne's week. Grateful as she was, she couldn't help muttering, "Damn man. He ought to be slapped and I'm just the woman to do it" under her breath.
"Higher, Tom, higher," Nadine Todd called, trying to get her husband to lift his end of the banner. "Perfect." Tom tacked his end, and Nadine turned for the next task.
"I wouldn't say perfect, but I'm pretty close," Tyler said, grinning at his best friend's mother. She had been the mother his couldn't, or wouldn't, be. She had given him love and a safe place to be. She had given him family, and he loved her for that.
Nadine Todd smiled at Tyler, opening her arms as she approached him. She wrapped her arms around Tyler, just like she would greet any of her children. "Sweet boy, how are you? I haven't seen you in so long. You don't call, you don't write," she chastised him as she kissed his cheek. "Do you know what pen and paper are? They are for writing, like a letter, to me."
"Sorry, Mom," he replied, feeling like a little boy all over again. "I've been busy."
"Sure, sure," she teased. "That's a great haircut. Looks good. Still a little long, but I know how you boys are." She hooked her arm through his and they walked towards the house. "So, do you have a woman? When am I going to get grandkids from you? Caleb has given me two, Simon and Gillian have one and one on the way. You remember Gillian?" And just like that, Tyler was home. Nadine had never treated him like a friend of her sons'. He was always her boy, her son, her family. He belonged.
Lydia rechecked the back door to make sure it was locked. She rechecked the lights, the store room, the dressing room. She sighed loudly, knowing that she couldn't put it off any longer. She needed to get Josie's for the cook out. After her talk with Tyler the previous night, she didn't want to go and face him. Avoiding him didn't work, and she knew she had to get over herself. She locked the front door behind her, and turned to set off for the bank. A quick deposit in the night drop and she was off. She turned to walk to her car, and there he was. He was all strong, lean legs in his shorts and flip flops. The loud Hawaiian shirt made her smile. That seemed so appropriate for him.
"Hey," she greeted him. "Nice shirt."
"It is, isn't it? I got it in Hawaii. It screamed tacky tourist and I had to have it. I came to give you a ride."
"I have my car. Can I give you a ride?" she asked politely.
She was on fire. She wanted to touch him, or have him touch her. Either way, she just wanted to be touching.
"Are you scared of the Harley?" he asked teasingly. "We need to talk, and I want to do it before we go to the barbecue."
"Tyler, please. There isn't anything else to say," she replied. She didn't want there to be anything to talk about.
"See, the funny thing about last night is that you did all the talking. I didn't get to tell you my story," he stood and walked to the magnificent motorcycle, holding out a helmet to her. "You can get on, or I can put you on."
"So now you go all cave man. I need to go to the bank, and I am not getting on that thing," she said smartly. She started to walk away when he grabbed her arm gently.
"Lydia, please," he said softly.
She closed her eyes, several emotions working. She opened her eyes, grabbed the helmet, "Fine, but can I make this deposit first?"
The smell of fresh baking pies almost made him float to the back booth where Josiah sat, drinking a cup of coffee. "Your hair looks good," Josiah said as Tyler sat. "But you look like crap. Somebody has woman problems." Tyler could have taken it a little better if his friend hadn't been smiling so big he was almost laughing.
"Screw you," he replied, running his hand through his shorn hair. He did smile as MaryAnne, the waitress, came over and placed a cup and a carafe of coffee on the table. She knew already that they would drink the whole thing if they sat long enough. It saved her a few hundred trips to fill up cups. The red head was pretty enough, but he was surprised that he had no reaction to her other than that. He was hoping for a small spark of interest or something.
"Nice come back," Josiah smiled even bigger. "Lydia?"
"Yeah," Tyler replied grumpily. There was no point in denying it. Josiah would just see through it.
"I always liked Lydia. She had a hard time growing up, but she sure has made something of herself. Her sister is in med school, and I think that's all Lydia," Josiah said, admiration in his voice. For Josiah to use that tone of voice when speaking about anyone was a miracle in itself. He didn't admire many people. "You better wipe that hang dog look off your face. Here come my brothers. If they see you, they will forever give you hell." Josiah waved at his five brothers, and the mass of handsome, broad shouldered men made it's way to the back booth, turning heads the whole way.
Tyler refocused on why he was here. Josiah's wedding. There were several activities planned for the next five days, and he needed to be at his best and on his toes with this crowd. He stood and greeted the brothers with hugs and back slaps. He hadn't seen them in so long, and now he wondered why. They had always treated him as family, even now. They finally got enough chairs pulled to the booth and MaryAnne brought more mugs. She took orders from all of them, but for some reason avoided looking at Abe. That's interesting, thought Tyler. Abe avoided looking at her, too.
The men sat and talked up until lunch time, when they ordered more food. MaryAnne had finally quit asking if they needed anything else, and just waited until they called her name across the diner. Tyler had never had a better time with the Todd boys.
"When does your mom get here?" Tyler asked, speaking to the crowd in general.
"She's here. She's at Josiah's getting it ready for the barbecue tonight," Noah answered. "Which means I guess that we better get over there so she can see your ugly mug." There were snorts and laughter around the table, and after much shuffling and pocket digging, they left Josiah with the tab. They all chipped in for the tip, making MaryAnne's week. Grateful as she was, she couldn't help muttering, "Damn man. He ought to be slapped and I'm just the woman to do it" under her breath.
"Higher, Tom, higher," Nadine Todd called, trying to get her husband to lift his end of the banner. "Perfect." Tom tacked his end, and Nadine turned for the next task.
"I wouldn't say perfect, but I'm pretty close," Tyler said, grinning at his best friend's mother. She had been the mother his couldn't, or wouldn't, be. She had given him love and a safe place to be. She had given him family, and he loved her for that.
Nadine Todd smiled at Tyler, opening her arms as she approached him. She wrapped her arms around Tyler, just like she would greet any of her children. "Sweet boy, how are you? I haven't seen you in so long. You don't call, you don't write," she chastised him as she kissed his cheek. "Do you know what pen and paper are? They are for writing, like a letter, to me."
"Sorry, Mom," he replied, feeling like a little boy all over again. "I've been busy."
"Sure, sure," she teased. "That's a great haircut. Looks good. Still a little long, but I know how you boys are." She hooked her arm through his and they walked towards the house. "So, do you have a woman? When am I going to get grandkids from you? Caleb has given me two, Simon and Gillian have one and one on the way. You remember Gillian?" And just like that, Tyler was home. Nadine had never treated him like a friend of her sons'. He was always her boy, her son, her family. He belonged.
Lydia rechecked the back door to make sure it was locked. She rechecked the lights, the store room, the dressing room. She sighed loudly, knowing that she couldn't put it off any longer. She needed to get Josie's for the cook out. After her talk with Tyler the previous night, she didn't want to go and face him. Avoiding him didn't work, and she knew she had to get over herself. She locked the front door behind her, and turned to set off for the bank. A quick deposit in the night drop and she was off. She turned to walk to her car, and there he was. He was all strong, lean legs in his shorts and flip flops. The loud Hawaiian shirt made her smile. That seemed so appropriate for him.
"Hey," she greeted him. "Nice shirt."
"It is, isn't it? I got it in Hawaii. It screamed tacky tourist and I had to have it. I came to give you a ride."
"I have my car. Can I give you a ride?" she asked politely.
She was on fire. She wanted to touch him, or have him touch her. Either way, she just wanted to be touching.
"Are you scared of the Harley?" he asked teasingly. "We need to talk, and I want to do it before we go to the barbecue."
"Tyler, please. There isn't anything else to say," she replied. She didn't want there to be anything to talk about.
"See, the funny thing about last night is that you did all the talking. I didn't get to tell you my story," he stood and walked to the magnificent motorcycle, holding out a helmet to her. "You can get on, or I can put you on."
"So now you go all cave man. I need to go to the bank, and I am not getting on that thing," she said smartly. She started to walk away when he grabbed her arm gently.
"Lydia, please," he said softly.
She closed her eyes, several emotions working. She opened her eyes, grabbed the helmet, "Fine, but can I make this deposit first?"
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Star Spangled Banner
I am very moved by our national anthem. It makes me cry and makes my heart swell. I am so proud to be an American citizen. I don't know if it was because my dad was military or just the era that I was raised in, but I am very patriotic. I believe that we live in the greatest nation in the world. I felt like the following was very appropriate for this weekend.
"Oh, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation,
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just.
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
That is the last stanza to The Star Spangled Banner. It was written in a time when people knew that this country was founded on the belief in God and His power. He brought us to this country and we founded it's principles on His laws.
We need to go back to the foundation of our Heavenly Father. We need to rest on the solid foundation that is Jesus Christ. Our country has slipped farther and farther away from what he had planned for us. We need to rally around each other and our foundation in Christ and bring this country back to what it was intended to be. It was intended to be a country where morals and rights and beliefs could be dictated by one thing- the word of God.
I am not usually this preachy, but it was a really great day at church and I felt moved to share it with you, however briefly. Enjoy your holiday.
"Oh, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation,
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just.
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
That is the last stanza to The Star Spangled Banner. It was written in a time when people knew that this country was founded on the belief in God and His power. He brought us to this country and we founded it's principles on His laws.
We need to go back to the foundation of our Heavenly Father. We need to rest on the solid foundation that is Jesus Christ. Our country has slipped farther and farther away from what he had planned for us. We need to rally around each other and our foundation in Christ and bring this country back to what it was intended to be. It was intended to be a country where morals and rights and beliefs could be dictated by one thing- the word of God.
I am not usually this preachy, but it was a really great day at church and I felt moved to share it with you, however briefly. Enjoy your holiday.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Politicians Suck
I was thinking the other day that I should probably watch my mouth when I blog. Then I thought maybe not. Sometimes you just have to blog it out, or it eats you up. It can be extremely personal or just mildly irritating. I'm watching the state of the world and our country and all I can think is politicians suck.
I would like whoever is running for political office to be HONEST. What a novel concept. I want him or her to say, "Yes, I inhaled and I liked it. I smoked one right before coming out here and if any of you have one, we can go out to the rose garden and burn it." I would have much more respect for the honest answer. I also think some former presidents were smoking crack, which is so much worse than a little weed.
I would like whoever is running for political office not be beholden to his financers, but to the American people. I would like him or her to say, "Thank you so much for your generous support of my campaign, but I will not pass that legislation because it is wrong to bilk the American people out of trillions of hard earned dollars so I can line my pockets and yours." How is that so hard? "We won't give you millions for TV and radio and print and internet ads if you don't do me this favor when you get elected." OK. I already have the pot head vote so I think I'm good. Grass roots campaigns can do amazing things.
I would like whoever is running for political office to not get into the party politics. I would like him or her to say, "Yes, I am a member of the (blank) party. But I do not vote along party lines, I vote what is best for the people of my district." It shouldn't matter what party you belong to but what is best for the people. That was why you were elected. To do what is best for the people in your district. What is right for them may not be right for another district, but listen to your people.
I feel so much better now. Watching the way Congress is ripping apart our healthcare system is pissing me off. I don't see how they are going to make it any better. We do not have a perfect system by any means, but the way they are going about it is going to cost us even more money in taxes and fees, even though it's free. Not many things are really free. I have some ideas, but that's another blog for another time. Thanks for letting me vent.
I would like whoever is running for political office to be HONEST. What a novel concept. I want him or her to say, "Yes, I inhaled and I liked it. I smoked one right before coming out here and if any of you have one, we can go out to the rose garden and burn it." I would have much more respect for the honest answer. I also think some former presidents were smoking crack, which is so much worse than a little weed.
I would like whoever is running for political office not be beholden to his financers, but to the American people. I would like him or her to say, "Thank you so much for your generous support of my campaign, but I will not pass that legislation because it is wrong to bilk the American people out of trillions of hard earned dollars so I can line my pockets and yours." How is that so hard? "We won't give you millions for TV and radio and print and internet ads if you don't do me this favor when you get elected." OK. I already have the pot head vote so I think I'm good. Grass roots campaigns can do amazing things.
I would like whoever is running for political office to not get into the party politics. I would like him or her to say, "Yes, I am a member of the (blank) party. But I do not vote along party lines, I vote what is best for the people of my district." It shouldn't matter what party you belong to but what is best for the people. That was why you were elected. To do what is best for the people in your district. What is right for them may not be right for another district, but listen to your people.
I feel so much better now. Watching the way Congress is ripping apart our healthcare system is pissing me off. I don't see how they are going to make it any better. We do not have a perfect system by any means, but the way they are going about it is going to cost us even more money in taxes and fees, even though it's free. Not many things are really free. I have some ideas, but that's another blog for another time. Thanks for letting me vent.
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